Zip tennis and rock climbing: Some unique activities in eastern Mass.

There are more ways and more options than ever before for every child to learn a new sport or skill, while, hopefully, gaining lifelong fitness habits.

Kathleen Zigmont

There are more ways and more options than ever before for every child to learn a new sport or skill, while, hopefully, gaining lifelong fitness habits.

Reaching New Heights: Rock Climbing in Everett

"Rock climbing used to be only adults and young adults, but we’re seeing more and more kids develop an interest in the sport," said Sarah Harmon of MetroRock in Everett. "Some of the kids are the children of climbers, but many are kids who want to try something new," she said.

Harmon said children as young as seven or eight can begin to learn the basics of the sport.

"We start them out very low, they may do most of their climbing close to the ground, while they learn about the sport and develop skills," said Harmon.

The kids learn more than just how to climb rocks. The participants also learn how to trust their fellow climbers, gain teamwork skills and increase their mental and physical strength.

"I think learning how to trust the person holding the rope below you is one of the most basic and important elements. It really helps kids learn how to work as a team," said Harmon. In addition, the climbers learn how to carefully check over their climbing area and their equipment and while climbing, they are moving their bodies in new ways.

"I think they are amazed at how they can make their bodies move and get strong. When they get to the top, its such a huge sense of accomplishment," she said.

Serving Like a Pro: Zip Tennis in Wayland

Feeling that sense of accomplishment is also key in the Zip Tennis program at the Longfellow Club in Wayland, which teaches kids the fundamentals of tennis on a smaller sized court with smaller rackets and softer tennis balls.

"The overriding philosophy is we want kids to play tennis, really play tennis, not a lot of silly games but be able to play the real game as quickly as possible," said Mike Barrell, an English tennis instructor who consulted with the Longfellow Club in the development of the facility.

Zip Tennis mimics the unpredictability of the game – like splitting the youngsters into pairs and having them toss and catch. In this exercise, the balls sometimes go all over the place – just like in a real match. The students learn to run to the ball, as they should while playing.

"What we’ve created here looks like a real tennis court, only smaller. It makes it accessible for everyone," said Barrell.

Success Regardless of Ability: AccessSportsAmerica in Acton

Accessibility for children of all ages and stages of development is the foundation behind AccessSportsAmerica, a national non-profit organization. Their programs serve over 1,500 kids and adults with disabilities and gets them out on the soccer fields, into the gym and even onto the water.

One of AccessSportsAmerica’s more popular and amazing programs is their water sports program, which gets kids with disabilities flying across the water’s surface on a windsurfer, in tandem with an instructor, or gliding across the water in a kayak or canoe.

"It’s a remarkable program. Windsurfing and kayaking are things that many kids with disabilities may think they could never do, and the smiles on their faces is just priceless," said Ross Lilley, executive director and founder of AccessSportsAmerica.

The Acton-based organization also offers adaptive soccer programs in Acton and Concord throughout the year for disabled children as young as five years old.

"As much as we can, we are tying to reach a higher level of function. Our approach is to take the kids out of their comfort zone, to get them to move their bodies in ways they never thought they could," said Lilley. AccessSportsAmerica also offers outdoor exploration and physical conditioning programs.

"Most people hold the bar very low for the disabled, so we fell that we must work twice as hard to keep the kids in shape and as healthy as possible," said Lilley.

Skills for Every Child: Kids’ Yoga Class in Andover

At the Boston Sports Club in Andover, kids as young as six can begin working on their Downward Dog poses in a special kids’ yoga class for both boys and girls. Alexsis Sagnella, director of the club’s kids’ sports programs, said the children’s yoga programs are similar to a typical adult yoga class, but is more interactive.

"It’s the basic poses, but more broken down, and we use some games and other ways to make it fun," she said.

Sagnella said that practicing yoga is a good skill for every child.

"For the child that may play sports like soccer or baseball, it enhances their coordination and flexibility and just makes them more aware of how their body moves," she said.

"For children who may dance or do other activities, it can also increase their overall fitness level," she said.

Get Fit: Energy Center in Weymouth

At the Weymouth Club in Weymouth, owners Sally and Steve Goldman have just opened a state-of-the-art facility they call the Energy Center which will cater to the fitness needs of the area’s youth, from infant to teenager.

The Energy Center will have an area for pre-school age children to climb on a climbing wall, an area for tumbling and large toys for fun and exercise, according to Ed Carpenter, spokesman for the Weymouth Club.

Older kids will have interactive fun with game bikes that support over 80 interactive play games, where the child has to pedal to play. The center will also have movement-oriented dance games and X Board Pro, a combination snow board and skate board that will allow youngsters to incorporate balance with building muscles.

There will also be an infant care area set away from where the older children will be exercising.

Carpenter said the idea behind opening the Energy Center is twofold.

"Young people will be able to exercise in a unique environment, while their parents, who are members of the Club, will be able to exercise on their own knowing their children are in a safe and fun environment," said Carpenter.

"The second purpose of the Center is to help fight childhood obesity, which is one of the major epidemics facing the nation’s youth," he said.

"By setting up an environment in which exercise is fun, the youngsters will want to exercise," he said. Carpenter said the hope is that as the children get older, exercise will be a good habit they don’t want to break.
For the Girls: Go Girl Go fitness program in Marshfield

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, the 1,000 member strong club provides the area’s youth between the ages of 6-18 with enrichment and recreation programs in a safe environment.

Registration begins now for the new educational program, known as “Go Girl Go.” Go Girl Go is a small-group health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program designed to meet the developmental needs of girls in third through eighth grades. The program, which will be held on Wednesdays, begins April 12and runs for eight sessions. It is a great opportunity for girls to make new friends, gain self-confidence and learn more about themselves.

Kathleen Zigmont is a freelance writer for Parents and Kids; she is a soccer mom who lives in Marshfield with her husband and three children.

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